Footsteps echoed in the dim corridor, and Audrey, no longer as flustered as before, withdrew her gaze from the murals adorned with crimson moonlight.
Her thoughts returned to the grey-white steps that had appeared in the collective subconscious sea, and Audrey couldn't help but think of Hvin Rambis, feeling a sudden concern as she asked, "Is that fellow from the Psychology Alchemists here because of Hvin Rambis?"
Aaron ran his fingertips through his smooth golden hair and smiled, shaking his head. With the hidden authority granted by the Church of Evernight, some information no longer needed to be concealed:
"Hvin Rambis was merely a Manipulator corrupted by a personality mask; his Death is insignificant."
"The one who came this time is Hermes, and he and I have a cooperative relationship. If all goes well, perhaps your Angel characteristic will be settled."
Hermes! Angel characteristic! Audrey's steps faltered slightly as she quickly grasped the crucial information, her expression suddenly freezing, clearly hearing her heart pound like a drum.
Watching Audrey's emotions instantly become chaotic, Aaron pondered for a moment, then lowered his voice and continued, "Additionally, for a period of time from now on, I will no longer participate in the Tarot Club."
"Is this related to Mr. Fool's slumber?" Audrey asked subconsciously, then realized with a start that this was a holy hall of the Church of Evernight, not her study.
However, after learning that Mr. World's true identity was a Nighthawk who had died long ago in Tingen City, Audrey had already guessed that the Evernight Goddess and The Fool had secretly reached an agreement, so she didn't feel the panic of an infidel about to face Judgement.
"Slumber is for a further revival. I can feel that the day Mr. Fool awakens is not far off…."
Aaron chuckled, his gaze shifting, no longer continuing the topic.
Audrey pondered, following his gaze, and noticed a middle-aged man wearing red gloves appear around the corner.
Unlike Audrey's confusion, Aaron had already recognized him as the Nighthawk Senior Deacon "Goddess's Spear" Riddell, who had been severely wounded by Ince Zangwill at the St. Lovell Church, the headquarters of the Sivellas County Diocese.
Now, the pollution from the True Creator on this Senior Deacon had been cleared. He nodded to Aaron and, drawing a crimson moon on his chest, spoke in a low voice, "Your Holiness, His Holiness the Pope is waiting for you. Please follow me…."
The deepest part of the Church of Evernight was shrouded in Darkness, blurring distance and boundaries, silent and peaceful. Riddell consciously remained at the periphery, his expression respectful.
Audrey held her breath, her gem-like pupils reflecting the only light in the place: a magnificent statue that seemed to come from the high-hanging Crimson Moon or the stars.
She wore a layered but not overly complex dark gown, adorned with countless dazzling points, as if the Cosmos night sky were draped over her. Her head was indistinct, as if veiled by the night's thin gauze.
A tranquil aura permeated the air, and Audrey murmured as if in a dream, "Goddess…."
Not sensing an aura far beyond the Angel level from the statue, Aaron's gaze shifted to the base of the statue, to the female figure clad in religious robes and wearing a triple crown.
No further words were needed to explain; her iconic attire was enough to signify her status.
Annabella, the Goddess's Blessed, His Holiness the Pope who presides over the Church!
This representative of the deity's will stood in the gently rippling Darkness, giving a very unreal sensation. Even when Aaron's gaze fell upon Her, Her posture remained unchanged.
Not seeing Arianna, Aaron gave a polite nod and looked into those deep dark eyes, taking the initiative to speak, "Good evening, Your Holiness the Pope."
The star-studded robes swayed. Pope Annabella, with a calm expression, drew a crimson moon on her chest and devoutly whispered, "To quickly accommodate the Death authority, the Goddess has already fallen into slumber."
"According to the oracle left by the Lord, apart from matters of principle, the Church will do its utmost to cooperate with your actions, including myself and Arianna."
Aaron raised an eyebrow, immediately realizing that the Goddess's trap for the God of Combat had begun to be woven, but this also meant that for the foreseeable future, the Evernight Goddess would not be able to provide direct assistance.
Fortunately, he had already reached an agreement with the Lord of Storms before… Aaron nodded slightly, thoughtfully, then turned his head to look at Audrey beside him. This Sequence 5 Dreamwalker had actually fallen asleep without him noticing.
"When she awakens again, the last remaining Dreamwalker potion will be completely digested. I have already sent out a message in the name of the Church of Evernight to the entire Amantha defense line for the grand mass at the end of the month, which should meet your requirements."
The Pope's cool voice, lacking emotional fluctuations, reached his ears. Aaron observed Audrey's Spirit Body for a moment, confirming that the last few discordant parts not fully integrated into her spirit were gradually diminishing before he nodded.
Looking up at the Evernight Goddess's statue, Aaron pondered for a moment, then carefully asked, "Your Holiness Annabella, does the assistance you mentioned include the Church's Sealed Artifacts of Grade 0?"
Pope Annabella paused for two seconds, then continued, "You may borrow one temporarily, or an equivalent exchange!"
Decisively choosing the former, Aaron cleared his throat and continued to press, "Could you reveal some information about the Church's Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts to help me choose?"
The silence was longer than before, and then a voice came from beneath the triple crown:
"Alright!"
The surging Darkness rippled, transforming into an unreal gateway. Annabella paced through the void, speaking as she walked, "Follow me. After 0-08 was stolen, the sealing ground was changed to the deepest part of the abyss beneath the holy hall, the entrance to the Kingdom of Darkness in the Fourth Epoch."
After settling Audrey, Aaron's figure flickered and disappeared into the gradually closing illusory Door.
Although all information on Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts within the Orthodox Churches is shared, this is limited to the most basic external features and does not include their corresponding Beyonder abilities.
And the Goddess's "slumber" would definitely provoke the God of Combat, and war would reignite, so She also had to prepare early.
If the Feynapotter Kingdom were to join the war, Loen would inevitably open a western front, and ostensibly, both the Pope and Madam Arianna would be tied down by this.
-----------------
East Balam, Haagenti Plains.
A bronze door, infused with endless stillness and covered in mysterious patterns, emerged.
An illusory, dark river flowed quietly, and a gloomy small boat sailed out from the deep portal.
Arsas Eggers, the Ferryman, who had advanced further with Azik's help and whose aura was even colder, stood at the bow of the boat, gazing at the "Abyss of Ferrying" at the southernmost tip of the Haagenti Plains, which had now become a sacred place for the Balam Kingdom.
Behind him, the Underworld Gate did not close; instead, it grew larger and closer to reality, with endless undead creatures pouring out of it, just like the resurgence of the Pale Disaster at the end of the Fourth Epoch.